CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia used a dominant second half to steamroll visiting California, 84-60, on Wednesday night at John Paul Jones Arena.

Malik Thomas led the Cavaliers (13-2, 2-1 ACC) with 20 points. Thijs DeRidder, Johann Grunloh, Sam Lewis and Ugo Onyenso each added 12 for Virginia, which improved to 9-0 at home this season.

“The end of the half was really important for us, the execution on defense on offense, to give us a little cushion there,” UVA coach Ryan Odom said.

UVA outscored Cal 23-11 over the final 10 minutes of the first half, went to the locker room ahead 43-33, then opened the second half with a 18-4 surge in the first 10 minutes. 

In all, Virginia outscored Cal 41-25 after the break.

“We wanted this game. We need this game,” Cal coach Mark Madsen said. “And they won by 20.”

Virginia assisted on 23 of 30 made baskets and finished with a commanding 45-26 edge on the glass.

Former UVA guard Dai Dai Ames, who transferred to Cal after last season, scored 18 for the Golden Bears, who also got 17 from Justin Pippen, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen.

“Dai Dai Ames is the ultimate competitor,” Madsen said. “Dai Dai Ames is a player who’s always going to leave everything on the court.”

The Cavaliers return to action Saturday when they host the ACC’s other west coast addition, Stanford.

“We can’t stay where we’re at,” Odom said. “The focus overall with our group has been there.”